In this “Ask Jack” session, we learn how to draw butterflies and rare birds, starting with blocking them in, and gradually adding details and notes so as not to get overwhelmed. Read More
Category: Drawing Insects
Tips, tricks, and techniques to help you observe and draw insects.
How to Draw Bugs
Let’s draw bugs! John Muir Laws explores drawing bugs from angles that convey their liveliness. This workshop was part of the live Ask Jack series, where participants request and choose the topic of the day. Read More
How to draw Cast Shadows (video)
Cast shadows are different than object shadows. Here are a few concepts and strategies to help you draw shadows on the ground or cast across other objects. Learn to make bug shadows and shadows beneath found objects in your nature journal. Read More
How to Draw a Shiny Beetle (video)
Carolyn found a shiny water beetle near our house. When I painted it I got a rather dull looking drawing. In this video, I rework the sketch to make it look glossy. The trick is punching up the contrast. Please excuse problems with the sound sync on this video. I was able to correct most Read More
Spider anatomy for artists
Fall is here and it is time to draw spiders. In this season female spiders have reached their full size and are ready to mate. Their webs are easily seen in the morning dew. Understanding how the body is put together will help you draw what you see with greater ease. As in insects, the body Read More
How to draw a dragonfly: Flame Skimmer
Learn how to draw the transparent wings of a dragonfly in this step-by-step demonstration. Drawing glossy transparent wings is challenging. By using this bag of tricks you will be able to suggest transparency in your drawings. Here are points to consider. Lines should be lighter when seen through the transparent membrane. Use less detail on Read More
Drawing foreshortened insects: Seven-spotted Ladybug
Learn how to draw a foreshortened ladybug in a step-by-step demonstration. Drawing insects from the top view is useful for identification but may lack dynamic interest. Three quarter views of insects show the height and form in ways you can not show from above. Visualizing the way that straight lines wrap around rounded forms is Read More
How do straight lines curve on a rounded surface?
Straight lines appear to curve on a rounded surface. Practice seeing and drawing these lines will greatly improve your ability to draw what you see. Print out the latitude and longitude lines in the figure at the right. Trace over these lines about ten times then draw them free hand. As you trace, do not just Read More
How to Draw Insects (video workshop)
Insects are a delight to study and observe. Learn the basics of insect illustration in this video workshop. This workshop introduces you to the basics of how to draw insects including anatomy, the most common mistakes made by artists drawing insects, the eight most common orders of insects, and details to watch for as you Read More
How to Draw Insects: Understanding and Drawing the Legs (part 2)
The most common mistake people make in insect drawings. [B]efore you read any further, stop and choose which one of these two beetles has the correct leg attachment. Don’t feel badly if you guess this one wrong. It is a very common mistake. This is where a little knowledge gets us into trouble. We know that the Read More